Complicity Part 3 (1/4) By Nick Quantrill

(1/4), (2/4), (3/4), (4/4). Part 1, Part 2.

Complicity is the new crime-fiction novella set in Hull featuring Detective Sergeant Coleman and Detective Constable Maynard. The thisisull.com serialisation is accompanied by the stunning black and white photography of Roland Standaert, which illustrates the story and takes a unique look at the city. Complicity and other stories are available for free. Please contact hullcrimefiction@hotmail.co.uk. for further details. Roland can be contacted at rockgraphy@mac.com.

Complicity Part 3

'Alright, Richard? What have you been doing with WPC Painter!' laughed Holloway as they arrived at the CCTV control room. 'I could have you up before a tribunal for that kind of comment' retorted Painter as she removed her hat. 'It's not my fault he's got the fitness level of a man twice his age.' Holloway snorted with laughter. 'Best stick to the brain work eh, Richard?' 'Whatever. Shall we have a look at this tape then?' The CCTV operative inserted the tape. 'Here's where we first saw him acting suspiciously. Obviously, Stutt is well known to us so we followed him for a bit.'

He watched the grainy images as Stutt entered the picture. Stutt had a cap pulled down over his face and quickly moved towards the corner of the street. 'Here, you can see this woman approach him' said the operative as he pointed at the screen. Just keep watching. Obviously, the quality isn't great. These are pretty much the last of the old style cameras in the city centre. The rest have much better definition and zoom ability.'

The police officers stared intently at the footage. 'Look, you can see him exchange something with the woman.' Coleman stared at Holloway. Holloway seemed to be scrutinising the footage and didn't return his stare. 'If you look now, he realises that he's been caught on camera. The idiot can't have realised until it was too late! Look at him run away. Like we won't catch up with him for that. It's blatant!' 'Is that it all?'

'That's it. I suppose you'll want to take the tape away with you then?' 'Correct.' 'Fine. I'll just need you to sign for it on this form then' said the operative passing a document to DI Holloway. 'Would it be ok if I took a copy too?' Coleman asked. 'Stutt is currently under investigation with us at the moment.'

Holloway eyed Coleman. 'Only if you keep me informed as to any developments, Richard. If I had the time, I'd check this out myself.' 'Of course I will.' 'Fine. I think you might as well call it a night now. I think you've got more than you bargained for anyway with this CCTV footage.' Coleman pocketed the tape. 'You're probably not wrong.

It's certainly given me something to talk about with DI McCormack.' 'Cheers, Richard. I'll speak to you soon.' He took off the police tabard before making his way back to the station to drop-off the tape. It wasn't sensible to walk around the city centre at this time of night by himself, marked out as a police officer. He listened to another message from Maynard as he walked back down Whitefriargate for the second time that day. Instead of shoppers in a hurry, the street was now populated by youngsters shouting at each other and urinating in doorways. It was hard to decide which was worse.

Continued... Next Page (2/4)

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